Pierre Gimonnet & Fils 'Cuis' Special Club Extra Brut 1er Cru, Champagne, France 2019

Pierre Gimonnet & Fils is a grower-producer based in the Côte des Blancs, renowned for its Chardonnay-driven Champagnes and meticulous vineyard selections. The estate, now managed by Olivier and Didier Gimonnet, has been cultivating vines since 1750 and bottling under its own label since the 1930s. Their wines emphasize precision, minerality, and aging potential, with “Special Club” bottlings representing the pinnacle of their production.

• WINEMAKER: Didier & Olivier Gimonnet

• FARMING: Sustainable

• VARIETY: 100% Chardonnay

• TERROIR: Sourced exclusively from old-vine Chardonnay parcels in the village of Cuis (1er Cru) in the Côte des Blancs; chalky soils and cool mesoclimate promote finesse and longevity.

• VINIFICATION: Fermented in stainless steel using native yeasts; malolactic fermentation is partially blocked to preserve acidity and tension.

• AGING: Aged on lees for over 3 years before disgorgement; bottled under the “Special Club” designation and finished with an Extra Brut dosage (~4 g/L).

• TASTING NOTES: Elegant and racy with notes of green apple, white flowers, crushed limestone, and toasted almond. The palate is vibrant, with a fine mousse, taut minerality, and a long, saline finish.

• FOOD PAIRINGS: Ideal with oysters, sashimi, grilled langoustines, or triple-cream cheeses like Brillat-Savarin.

• SCORES: Wine Spectator: 94